Despite the variable weather leading up to this show the hall was ablaze with colour, mainly from the large Cymbidium display. These were large plants with multiple spikes creating an outstanding scene.
However, the judges awarded a small Australian Native, Dendrobium tetragonum, the Grand Champion prize, this plant, shown by Club President Jeff Knox also took out the Champion Specimen Orchid and Champion Australian Native. This small plant had seven spikes of large, yellow, fringed with rusty red flowers. An extremely good example of this orchid.
Jeff went on to win with his passion, Cymbidiums, the Champion Cymbidium under 60mm with Cymbidium Sarah Jean ‘Helen’ X Cymbidium (floribundum ‘Moondance’ x ‘Red Button’). In true Sarah Jean tradition this plant presented a cascade of small pink flowers skirting around the pot on 11 30cm stems. Not satisfied with this success he went on to win the Champion Paphiopedilum with a good example of Paph. Highland Beauty, notable for its large heavily spotted dorsal petal.
Reserve Champion went to Bob & Muriel Bell, no strangers to the Champions table, with a Masdevallia Midas Touch ‘Crown Vista’ a large (15cm) orange with red striping flower. This plant also took out Champion Orchid Any Other Genera. The Bells, also known for their Cymbidiums, took out the Champion 90mm and over Cymbidium with Cym. Lancashire Khan ‘Debonaire’. This well grown plant carried large pink flowers with a strong red lip beautifully displayed on long spikes.
Champion Novice went to new growers, Roger and Ann Skitt who presented an extremely good pot of the Australian Terrestrial, Pterostylis curta. These plants were very well grown and in peak condition, getting good comments from the judges.
Champion Cymbidium 60mm – 90mm belonged to Keith Barrett with his Cymbidium Ruby Vally Clare, its dark red flowers with a large deep red lip made a strong statement. Keith was also successful with a delicate Cattleya Angel Heart ‘Himamoto’, white with a delicate pink blush in the Champion Laeliinae Alliance class. His Phalaenopsis Unknown ‘Woolies White’ was Champion Vandaceous and he also presented an immaculate Vriesea ‘Milky Way’ to take out the Champion Fern and Foliage.
Richard Skitt, getting back into orchids after a few years rest, presented the Champion Cymbidium Seedling, Cym. Dural Dream x Lunar Blaze ‘Dural’, a deep pink flower with 12 flowers on the spike. He also won the Champion seedling Other than Cymbidium with his Dendrobium Victoria Flare x Auscobber ‘Kings Park’, a large flower, yellow with strong purple markings. One to look out for as it matures.
Champion Species Orchid was taken out by Graham Gray with a Masdevallia angulata. The plant had three purple spotted flowers peeping out from under the foliage.
The Floral Art class was well supported by some new members who provided some very good examples of how orchid blooms can be used to make some quite spectacular displays however the display by Margaret Deighton using novelty Cymbidiums in an arched fashion supported by more conventional flowers took out the Champions ribbon.
Congratulations to all winners, exhibitors, and helpers for putting on another great show.
Sapphire Coast Orchid Club would like to thank our Major Sponsors, Robert Smith Complete Furnishers of Pambula, The Bendigo Bank, and The Little Bouquet Florist of Merimbula for their very generous support of our Shows.
